My Equipment and how I think I should use it

Ok here is a list of stuff I have and how I intend to use.

this is all being worked on so I have not tested the airflow for room temp and the supply ducting is not in place, Also I just ordered one fan tonight so it will be a bit before I can run actual tests for CFMs and temp in the spaces.

Feel free to correct me on any subject!

To Start:
I am adding 2 15 amp breakers each one will feed a 4 gang outlet in my grow area so I can have the two larger lights on two different breakers, I will split the ventilation and the circulation fans on the same breakers as the lights to spread the load.
I have 4- 8" fans two for each area to help circulate air.


In the Flower space I have a 600 watt HPS in a sealed ducted hood in a space 56" high x 43" x 30"
In the Veg space I have a space a 400 HID in the same style ducted hood in a space 49" high x 42" x 44".
also in the Veg I plan to mount 2- 1'x2' 4bulb T5 fixtures vertically against the rear wall.


I have two more 1'x2' T5 fixtures, one for clones and one for a Mom and a separate space for them.


For ventilation fans I am using a 6" inline 400 CFM attaching both lights thru a barrier between the spaces and and drawing air up into an attic.
I have a 4" inline 160 CFM fan that I will tie into my central A/C in the same attic drawing cool air to dump in space.
I think I will need to keep my A/C fan turned on instead of in auto don't know yet.

my irrigation will be a drip system and I am planning on using a 5gal bucket as a reservoir.
I have a large air stone and a good air pump to aerate the reservoir. A simple return line from my pan is all I have to plumb, I have the pump and hose and spikes with controllable emitters.


My pan will most likely be a black plastic concrete mixing pan from H.D. They are very sturdy and I think 4 - 6 plants will fit in the one pan, I plan to use a net to spread my plants as shown by many other growers in my Flower space. thanks to All!


I think my space is to small to warrant the cost of C02.


I want soilless, but I have not picked a medium, I am leaning towards 4" Rockwell cubs to start cuttings placed in expanded clay pellets for veg and flower.
I also read good things about coconut material but I have no experience with either.

I also need to choose a line of Nutes.

I do have a ppm meter, a ph meter and a conductivity meter, warming mats for my clone trays and clone trays.


ok that is all I can think of, no pics yet, but soon!
thanks for reading and any input is much appreciated!
Peace,
DZ

Sir

i see u have T5 going may i say u look into CFLs they will cost u less on power and according to ppls studies (several of them can be googled on the net/youtube) T5 and CFL......the cfl wins do to the fact of the low watts the low heat and can safely place 2 1/2 inchs from plant with out harm.......your going to be drawling a huge amount of power with all u got going and the ac on all the time (before u set it up have the AC looked at ducts cleaned ..system charged....compressor checked......u do not want it breaking down on your 3 set and needing someone to come in ).............if u have the money and in a area that warrents it might want some solar pannels to help off set the engery use and lower the cost of the hobby in long run

u can never have to much air in the water......use a t break and add a 2nd stone completely remove that factor from it

nutes.....water stay away from orgaincs ......i hear there is a major issuse with them and pumps can clog

Plans Changed,
going with 400 as my main light with dual ballast allows HID/HPS.

I thought my T5 was Fluorescent isn't that CFL??
I use 1'x2" T5 fixtures, 1 light over seedlings & clones, 2 lights over Mom, 1 light over Isolation.
The power use is 95 watts per light, the spectrum can be varied by changing bulbs.

I have a tray of seedlings that Love that Light type T5 and it supports my Mom well too, they are placed 3-4 inches aabove plants.

By simply using a fan passing air under light and across plants you can reduce the temp under the lamp, I read this on RIU.
I Also thought the "hand test" was great another RIU trick I learned, put your hand under the light at the distance you want your plants, wait 30-40 seconds if it was to hot increase the distance till you can feel warmth but not pain.
peace,
DZ

DZ,

With such small growing areas it can be tricky to nail the environment down.

A ppm meter is a conductivity meter

With a small flower height stick with the 400 watt hid.

CFLs are dumb. t-5s are efficient lights suitable for cloning and vegging that produce a uniform light output that is easy to put near the plants

the hand test is not something you should use. I can put my plants near a 1000 watt air cooled hood and be cool to the touch. The next day the plant will be damaged and bleached.

Dont vent into your attic, vent directly outside. Depending on climate, during winter this creates a huge temperature differential and creates massive humidity which is a breeding ground for mold. If you do at least get a wireless thermometer/hygrometer to monitor

I wouldn't call what your doing drawing a lot of power. Its good practice to balance a load but seriously its only 2 15 amp circuits. The main key is to not use the max recommended watts per circuit per wire rated for constant use.......simply, dont go over 12 amps per circuit.

I would recommend doing cocco watering by hand if you want to do soiless. Then after nailing that down, try drain to waste in cocco or recirculating I suppose.